Nebraska Airport Gets First FBO

Construction has begun on a new FBO at Blair Municipal Airport (BTA) in Nebraska. SkyWerx Aviation, the first service provider at the airport, hopes to attract flight departments from local corporations as well as transient aircraft on fueling stops, to the Omaha-area field, which expects capitalize on its lower operating costs to offer attractive fuel prices. “Blair Airport has been overlooked by the general aviation community because it lacked services,” said Bob Joyce, general manager of privately owned SkyWerx. The 1,800-sq-ft facility, which is expected to be completed in September, will have a passenger lobby, a pilot rest area, flight-planning room, courtesy car, refueling and maintenance service. It will also feature an attached 10,800-sq-ft heated hangar. The new FBO will take over fueling duties and management of the airport’s fuel farm, which previously was self-serve. While there are currently no turbine aircraft based at the airport, Joyce told AIN that he already has commitments for four tenants once the facility opens. SkyWerx will also offer aircraft charter and management services. Although its runway is only 4,200 feet long, the airport is currently in negotiations to acquire land that would allow extension to 5,500 feet.